~EDDIE tells MTV it's PURE MAGIC with DAVE~

[James in New York]

They must be breaking out the ice skates in hell.

Van Halen's long-rumored reunion tour with original singer David Lee Roth came one step closer as ink dried on the final contracts Friday (February 2). The tour will feature Roth alongside founding members Eddie and Alex Van Halen, with Eddie's son, Wolfgang Van Halen (who recently replaced Michael Anthony), on bass.

Although Roth teamed up with Van Halen in 1996 to record two songs for a greatest-hits collection, the tour will mark his first time performing live with the band since 1984, the year of their landmark album 1984, which featured "Jump," "Panama" and "Hot for Teacher."

"Playing these timeless hits only works with Dave," Eddie told MTV News in an exclusive statement. "After one rehearsal, it was pure magic."

Dates for the North American outing have yet to be confirmed, but the tour will kick off this summer and hit 40 cities.

"I am very excited to get back to the core of what made Van Halen," Eddie added.

On March 12, Van Halen will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (see "R.E.M., Van Halen, Grandmaster Flash Make Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame") in a ceremony that could feature Van Halen performing with both Roth and his replacement, Sammy Hagar (see "Sammy Hagar's Plans: Beach, Cruise, Sharing Stage With David Lee Roth?").

The original Van Halen lineup formed in the '70s, scoring early hits with "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," "Runnin' With the Devil" and a cover of the Kinks' "You Really Got Me."

Roth either quit or was fired from Van Halen (depending on whom you ask) in 1985 over feuds with Eddie. He launched a solo career that has ranged from legitimate rock hits hits (1988's "Just Like Paradise") to stints in shock radio and bluegrass, both in 2006 (see "David Lee Roth Reportedly Being Replaced By Opie & Anthony").

In 2001, the singer confirmed rumblings that the original lineup had recorded some new material, but it never surfaced. Rumors started back up last summer, when Roth said there were talks between the two camps.

[Brett]

Ed is such a fucking phony. Doesn't he get sick of his own bullshit?

[mickbass]

ah!ah! pure magic=big money.

[charlesresta]

EDDIE should be a politician. This is coming from the same guy who said that Sammy sings Dave's songs better, Gary is his soulmate and a brother, same shit different smell. What a loser!

[rolsguitars]

Ed is such a fucking phony. Doesn't he get sick of his own bullshit?

now now Brett your going to piss off the Ed apologists ;-)

now lets see, Dave = "Pure Magic" and "Fender finally gets it"
ok those go right next to "Garys my soulmate"

[Delighted Romeo]

Is this really a post from JINY. Where are the 43 thumbs up smilies and 61 bouncy smilies then?!? What, off your game a little today?!? Too much to drink last night?!?

Who in their right mind would believe this quote from EVH?!? How many whoppers has this guy told in the past decade?!? For the love of God, in the past decade he actually told us all that his cancer was caused by guitar picks, he had quit drinking, he had 10 albums of material, GC was his soulmate, etc. etc. etc. I could go on and on. Now he's telling us that "it's pure magic with Dave" and his kid is a monster on bass. Yeah, sure it is Eddie.

I don't know what's more pathetic -- people here hanging on EVH's every word as if it's gospel (as I also used to do back in the day) or those Rothtards who've bashed EVH for two decades now embracing him again because he's showing faux man-love for DLR. WTF?!?

No one could write a screenplay that properly captured the dysfunctional piece of shit that this band and its legacy have become. Maybe I'm in the minority with this, but it's getting to the point where it's affecting my love and reverence for the music and concerts between 1978 and 1995. Believe me, it's a bummer to feel this way now.

[hain23x]

didn't he say it was "magic" in 1996????

[sinners__swing]

Pure magic for 40 dates. Then after the 40 dates Ed will bitch that Dave is the same old person with the same hangups. Dave will say the same about Ed and VH will be looking for singer number 4 in 2008.

[padraig5150]

No one could write a screenplay that properly captured the dysfunctional piece of shit that this band and its legacy have become. Maybe I'm in the minority with this, but it's getting to the point where it's affecting my love and reverence for the music and concerts between 1978 and 1995. Believe me, it's a bummer to feel this way now.

And if you did write a screenplay like that, everyone would consider it "too fictional", nothing like that could ever happen.

I'm with you, I know exactly how you feel.

[rxman]

Ed is such a fucking phony. Doesn't he get sick of his own bullshit?

I don't think he even remembers his own bullshit.....

[Delighted Romeo]

Pure magic for 40 dates. Then after the 40 dates Ed will bitch that Dave is the same old person with the same hangups. Dave will say the same about Ed and VH will be looking for singer number 4 in 2008.

Bingo. And then all the Rothtards can get back to their long-time bashing of EVH and his so-called "fat kid," as I've seen many of them refer to Wolfgang.

(BTW, I'm pissed off about this kid taking MA's spot on bass, but making fun of the kid's weight isn't appropriate or necessary, as you can save the mockery for his bass playing, background vocals, and stage presence).

[Chris Rock]

Ed is such a fucking phony. Doesn't he get sick of his own bullshit?

Remember how Ed said he and Gary were like soulmates? Yeah, we all know how long that lasted.

Ed has the maturity of a 4th grader. Really.

[Pacfanweb]

Ed is such a fucking phony. Doesn't he get sick of his own bullshit?

Seriously. He says whatever the party line is at the moment, and tries to make people believe that he really believes it.
Look at all his quotes over the years about singers, equipment, albums, etc.

[atomicpunk5150]

I am a blatant EVH apologist.

However....

Edward Van Halen should not be allowed to speak on these matters, ever.

[Eddymon]

Is the 40 dates a firm thing or will they add alot more shows like they did in 2004?
They will need atleast 2 nights in LA, NY and some of the other big cities.